The Dubai Desert Classic Prediction, Preview, Odds & Tips

The DP World Tour makes its traditional stop in Dubai, where a host of the world's premier golfers compete for the Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club. Can anyone stop world number one Rory McIlroy from winning this weekend? 

Viktor Hovland will not be back to defend his title after victory at the Emirates Golf Club in 2022.  

Past Major winners in the line-up include Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Patrick Reed and Shane Lowry. 

The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is the second Rolex Series event for 2023. 

These are our four selections that could win the tournament this weekend. 

Shane Lowry was in a three-way tie for the lead after round three at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship this past weekend, but an indifferent final round saw him finish in T28 overall.

Before that, the Irishman had been playing well on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. He placed T12 at the BMW Championship, victory at the BMW PGA Championship, MC at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, finished T23 at the CJ Cup, T23 at the DP World Tour Championship, and 18th at the Hero World Challenge.

Other notable achievements last year include T12 at the Abu Dhabi Championship, T14 at the Saudi International, 2nd at the Honda Classic, T13 at the Players Championship, T12 at the Valspar Championship, T3 at the Masters, T3 at the RBC Heritage, T10 at the RBC Canadian Open, and T9 at the Horizon Irish Open.

The 35-year-old has had solid results at the Dubai Desert Classic, finishing T12 in 2019, T11 in 2020, T27 in 2021, and T24 in 2022.

Lowry will look to redeem himself after his poor final round last weekend with a winning performance at the Emirates Golf Club.

Min Woo Lee's impressive results on the DP World Tour continued this past weekend when he fell just short of capturing the Abu Dhabi HSBS Championship, finishing joint runner-up behind Victor Perez.

The Australian golfer has been ultra-consistent on the golf course in recent months, placing 3rd at the Open de Espana, 3rd at the Andalucia Masters, T8 at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, T12 at the DP World Tour Championship, T4 at the Australian PGA Championship, and 3rd at the ISPS Handa Australian Open.

Lee has improved immensely compared to his performances for most of 2022, with his best results being T26 at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, T14 at the US Masters, T27 at the US Open, T21 at the Open Championship, T26 at the Albertsons Boise Open(Korn Ferry Tour), and T42 at the BMW PGA Championship.

The 24-year-old has made one appearance in this tournament, missing the cut in 2021.

Lee has had four top-three places and one top-five finish in his last seven tournaments and will be in contention for the title in Dubai if he can replicate his current form.  

Adrian Meronk has been excellent touch by placing T7 at the DP World Tour Championship, winning the ISPS Handa Australian Open, and followed that up with a credible T10 finish at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship this past weekend.

Other prominent performances the Pole achieved last year include T6 at the Ras al Khaimah Classic, T3 at the Qatar Masters, T3 at the Catalunya Championship, 6th at the Soudal Open, 3rd at the Dutch Open, victory at the Horizon Irish Open, and T11 at the Open de France.

He placed T4 on debut at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2022.

Meronk is holding form after his victory down under and will look to replicate his excellent performance at this event last year by lifting the trophy come Sunday.

Rasmus Hojgaard did not have the best time in Australia recently, missing the cut at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship and the ISPS Handa Australian Open.

However, before that, the 21-year-old had been in great form on the golf course, finishing second at the Open De France, T17 at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, 5th at the Andalucia Masters, T30 at the Mallorca Golf Open, T8 at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, and T7 at the DP World Tour Championship.

Additional highlights Hojgaard achieved last year include placing 6th at the Corales Puntacana Championship, T18 at the Valero Texas Open, T16 at the Betfred British Masters, T10 at the Dutch Open, and T10 at the Genesis Scottish Open.

The Dane has featured three times at the Dubai Desert Classic, with results of MC in 2020, T9 in 2021, and T47 in 2022.

Hojgaard has won three times on the DP World Tour in his short career and has the game to cause an upset in Dubai.